Three Graduating Seniors maintain 4.0 GPA throughout college

Friday, May 09, 2014

Late night studying in the Miller F. Whittaker Library, two sugary caramel frappuccinos from Jazzman’s Cafe and 30 minute cat naps are some ways that students at SC State University stay alert so they can do well academically

Adisa Julien

Maintaining a 4.0 grade point average for some students may be challenging throughout their college tenure, but this year, three SC State University seniors worked hard and dedicated their time to reaching their full potential.

Adisa Julien, a senior biology major from Trinidad and Tobago; Rebecca Dale, a senior psychology major from Karlskrona, Sweden and Naadirah Siddiq, a senior accounting major from Philadelphia, Penn., were recognized for their outstanding academic achievement during the university’s annual Honors and Awards Convocation held on April 2.

While these three have many differences, they all share similar methods for achieving academic success. At the top of their list, each student says they prioritized their time, sacrificed any down time to study, completed their assignments on time and worked closely with their professors.

Rebecca Dale

Julien, a member of the National Society for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences and Beta Beta Beta, the national Biological Honor Society, maintains a 4.0 grade point average, while balancing a full course load.

“I must admit that it was by the grace of God that I maintained a 4.0 grade point average. It required dedication, prayers and the willingness to sacrifice free time for study time,” he stated. “Hard, intelligent work was the underlying factor for me achieving this goal,” he continued.

Unlike most students, Dale is an early riser, beginning each day at 7:45 a.m. An all-around athlete, she is a member of the women’s soccer team, golf team and women’s track and field. She says she prioritizes to ensure that all of her class work is done in a timely manner, before she hits the field, the greens or the track to compete.

Completing classwork on time and having a close relationship with professors are methods that Dale practices in order to reach her maximum potential.

Naadirah Siddiq

“Professors at SC State want to help you be your best,” she said. “It is important to pay attention and be respectful to your teachers and make sure that you do the work that is assigned,” said Dale.

Siddiq shares the same sentiment as Dale.

To manage her time, she also keeps her priorities in line. Siddiq is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Beta Alpha Psi, an honors organization for financial information students and professionals, and the Golden Key International Honor Society. She says that late night study sessions and meeting with accounting peers is how she performs at her best.

“In order to maintain a 4.0 grade point average, you have to study and make sure you have all of your course materials,” said Siddiq. “Students who want to maintain a 4.0 grade point average should study with a friend, so that you can challenge one another,” she advised.

Dale, Julien and Siddiq will be among the more than 500 graduates who will walk across the stage to receive their well-earned degrees at the spring commencement ceremony.

Upon graduating from the only public historically black university in the state of South Carolina, each student plans to attend graduate school. Julien hopes to attend the University of Toronto to study for a master’s in environmental science. Dale hopes to attend graduate school and obtain a master’s degree in psychology. Siddiq has quite a few offers for graduate schools, but has not made a decision on where she will attend. She hopes to receive a MBA.

The SC State commencement ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on May 9 at the Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. Samsung Chief Executive Officer Timothy E. Baxter is the commencement speaker.